True Bearing

Chorley council case study

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​True Bearing Chartered financial planning firm offering first class independent financial advice, serves the whole of the North West – and London - from its Euxton, Chorley, base and firmly believes its location is a key feature of its success.

The company was set up in 2003 by George Critchley, its current chairman, and five other members and has grown into one of the leading IFAs in the country employing 51 people and investing £300m of clients’ monies.

It was one of the first IFAs in the UK to receive the Gold Standard Investors in People Award and has recently achieved it for the second time.

In 2012 the company won the Lancashire Business View Red Rose Award for Financial Firm of the Year

By being ‘chartered’ it’s in the top 5% of IFAs by qualification and in the IFA market is in the top 5 nationally for Annuity Advice.

The company is a specialist in Care Fees planning and organises and attends over 80 pre-retirement seminars per year.

The people behind the company

Chairman George Critchley is passionate about bringing high quality, face-to-face independent advice to clients throughout the North West. Preston-born. he formed the company in 2003 after advising clients, managing advisers and owning a previous IFA firm. George holds the Diploma in Management Studies (DMS) in addition to his degree and advisory qualifications.

His ambition for True Bearing Chartered is clear – to be the North West’s premier Chartered Financial Planning firm. To achieve this, the firm set out to perform consistently to extraordinarily high standards in order to meet clients’ needs. In addition, through his inspired leadership and the commitment of the whole team, True Bearing Chartered is now perceived as a leader of chartered financial planning in the North West.

George retired from advising in February 2012 and together with his fellow directors and management team, he is focused entirely on developing the firm.

Why we chose Chorley

George said: “We chose our base in 2003 as Euxton because motorway and rail links were critical to access all of the North West. We wanted a rural business park location but with good access and that access has been updated to include a new railway station near our office.

“All of our suppliers are local and our staff either live locally or travel from a 20 mile radius. We work with many local law and accountancy firms

“Lancashire as a whole, and particularly Chorley is a good place to do business. People here are very commercial and like to support the local economy. The countryside is beautiful making Chorley a great place to be.

“And we received a business grant from Chorley Council, of £6,000 to support new capital equipment and new jobs.”